THE PASTON LETTERS Henry VI (continued 3)
Reading edition
353 JOHN DORY TO JOHN PASTON 113.1
To my ryth wurchepfull sovereyn and master, John Paston, be this delyveryd in hast.
About 1456(?)
Ryth wurshepfull master and sovereyn, I recomaunde me to you, besechyng you to pardon me that I cum not to awayte up on you like as Barkere wrote to me. For I have notable and grete causis syth the lettere cam from hym, the qweche hath chaungyd my purpos, and be my master the Schreve is wrytyng, on to weche I must aplie me, all excusis leyd apart. And as for the wrytyng Barkere wrote to me, be the qweche he directyth a gret default in my deputys for return of the habeas corpus with ducens tecum, ther as is none, I dar seye, for John Rede spek to all my master Fastolfs councell to advyse hym in the return, and to have returnyd hit after ther conceyt, and thei wuld gyf hym non advys. Nevertheles I now understande ther entent be Barkere is wrytyng; for thei wuld put alle juparte up on me to myn utter ondoyng, and yit to do my trewe part in execucion of ther entent, for ye knowell my master hath put the juparte and the losse, if any growe, to me on his part. And ther for I may repent the tyme that ever I promysyd my trewe and good wyll to that entent. For alle the malesse and evylwill that is owyng to me in alle the Schere ys for that mater and non other, the qweche hath grettely hurt me, and in tyme comyng schall hurt more. But lete them hold me excusyd, thei schall not have my goodwill so feythfully as thei have had, be my troweth, and I schall helpe my sefl [sic] as I may. And, Sire, I be seche you, thynke not that I pyke this be waye of qwarell, that I myth be this querell owe my good wyll to the toder part, for thei schall never have yt in that mater, nor in non other. And for good the qweche I have receyvyd yff be thowth I have not deservyd yt I am abill to content yt a geyn. And on Friday nexst foluwyng I schall be with you atte Norwich be Goddys grace, and knowe your entent in this mater.
No more, &c., but &c. —Be your man and servaunt, John Dory under Schreve of Norffolk.
354 JOHN BOCKING TO JOHN PASTON114.1
1457(?) APRIL 2
Sire, lyke it your maistership to wete that I sende you at this tyme the rolle of the copies of all patentes, and the appoyntement with Wentworth laste, and also a abstracte drawen as it come simply to my remembrance. And I shalbe with you sumtyme the next weke. All men ar owte at this tyme, as the Parson,114.2 Worcester, and Barker; and therfore til thei come, I may not owte. H. Wyndesor departid on Monday, and will doo that he can. He telleth me Lumleys patent is in his awarde, but it is of noo force. And also he hathe Constable is ij. [second ?] patente, and that is moste ayenst us, &c. He wil purveie therfore as ye knowe myn maister114.3 comaundit hym to yow.
Here hath ben Wilton with the dede of feffement yesterday, and all men hadde ensealed sauf myn maister that now hathe ensealed, and H. Inglose is right soory. I can no newe tidinges, but that myn maister hath put his matier of Issabells in Scroudeby, and the rente of the priour of Norwiche dieu to Heilesdon in your hande and Thomas Grene. Ye shal the next weke have the evidences. And Jesu kepe you and youres.
I sende myn Maistres Crane a lettre fro hir brother, but I have the credence, whiche I can not say but if she appose me for certein materes of hir brotheres.
Writen at Castre, the ij. day of Aprill. Your owen servaunt, J. B.
355 BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON115.1
To my Maister Paston.
1457 APRIL 20
Please you to wete that, after dew recommendacion, hyt yt so that my maister sendyth me to London for the mater of Rochestr, as for dyvers of hys oune particuler maters which concern not the lawe, &c.; and I am lyke to tarye till ye com, in case ye com wythynne iij. wekys.
Sir, at reverence of God, seth my maister ys fully yn wille to renew hys fefment, that it may be do be tyme by the surest grounde that may be had, for, be it nevyr so suerly don, hyt shall be thought lytille ynowgh to kepe hys lond owte of trouble; and to spare for no councell ne cost to make sure, for a peny yn seson spent wille safe a pounde. I comyned with my broyder Spyrlyng, which seyth he wille do hys attendaunce, and to kepe it ryzt close of the namys. Taryeng drawyth parell.
And ye meved a gode mater to the Parson and to me at your last beyng at Castr, that my maister shud be lerned whate hys housold standyth uppon yerlye, seth he kept it holye to ghedr at one place; and that don, then to see by the revenues of hys yeerly lyfelode whate may be leyd and assigned owte for that cause to meynteyn hys seyd housold, and over that, whate may be assigned to beere owte hys plees, and also do pay for hys foreyn chargs115.2 and dedes of almes to a convenyent somme.
And seth the grettist ordynarye charge most be hys housold kepyng, hyt were moste exspedyent that ye wold note well to remembre specially my maister to do hys audyt[or]es cast up and make rollys of hys accompts concernyng the seyd housold seth he came yn to Norffolk thys ij. yer and half, whych was nevyr so long to doo thys xl. wynter as ye now. And it ys pytee that hys audyt ys none ethyr wyse yn that entended; ye must nedys, yff ye wille my maister know how hyt stand with hym yerly of hys chargs, that thys be do fyrst, as it was allwey accustomed. My maister wille acord it to be don, but it ys forgete throwgh negligence of men yoven to sensualite, as Thomas Upton, me, and othyrs. My maister can not know wheder he go backward or forward till thys be doon.
I can not elles, but ye wille not foryete thys that the audyt[or]es go verraily aboute it to an ende. And Haylysdon accompts be behynde for ij. yeer to [too] grete pite ys, and it wer yours or yn any wyseman gouveraunce.
At Norwich hastly, the Wenstay in Ester weke. Boto-H.R.-Ner.
356 BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON116.1
To the ryght worshypfull Sir, John Paston, Escuier, beyng in Norwych, yn haste.
1457 MAY 1
Ryght worshypfull Sir, aftyr dewe recommendacion, please yow to wete that I wrote a remembraunce to yow the day that I departed owte of Norwich, by Rychard, the Parson ys servaunt of Blofeld, concernyng certeyn maters to be remembred by your wysdom for my maister ys avaylle, whych your grete wysdom can well undrestand ys ryght nedefull, as one thyng yn especiall, that Shypdam and Spyrlyng ought to labour, fyrst of onye thyng that belongyth, to audyt the accompts of the resseyt and despense of my maister housold at Castr seth he came last in to Norffolk, whych aswell for the provisyons that ys had of hys oune grownyng as in money payd; for till the seyd accompts be made ordynatlye, whych be of a grete charge yeerlye, wete ye for certeyn my maister shall nevere know whethyr he goth bakward or forward. And manye othere accomptants that maken lyvere of provysyons of cornys and catell to the household by the resseyvour and by the bayllyfs can not approve theyr liberatz just tille the seyd housold bokes be made upp; and seth it hath be kept ordynarylye seth my maister begen to kepe house thys l. yeer almoste, and when he hath be absent beyond see, &c., hyt ought to be more redelyer be doon and made upp whyle he is present, and well the rathere that hys housold menye were not so hole to ghedr thys xl. yer as be now at Castr. Also hyz minustrs of accompts of hys chieff maner of Haylysdon for iij. yeer to make upp and to examyn; and I ensure yow full simplye approwed hys wollys and hys fermys.
And the iijd ys that so wold Jesus my maister audytors wold faythfully and playnlye enforme my maistr of the trouth of the yeerly grete damage he beryth in debursyng hys money aboute shyppes and botes, kepyng an house up at Jermuch [Yarmouth] to hys grete harme, and resseyvyth but chaffr and waare for hys cornys and wollys, &c. and then most abyde along day to make money; of such chaffr takyng he shall nevere117.1 be monyed, ne be aunsuerd clerly of hys revenues yeerly but [unless] those thyngs abofeseyd be amended be tyme. Yn Lowys days xij. yeer to gheder my maister was wont to ley upp money yeerly at London and Castr, and now the contrarye—de malo in pejus.
I dar not be know of thys bille, but ye may question and vele of the disposicion of thys maters of otheres, and then I undrstand yff I wryt justlye or no; and ye, as of your mocion for my maister worshyp and profyt, exortyng hym, the stuard, Shypdam, and Spyrlyng to take a labour and a peyn that thys be reformed.
I pray yow, and require yow kepe thys mater to your sylf. Yowr, Botoner.
As for nouveltes none comth,118.1 but yt ys seyd the sege shall com to Calix. The Erle of Warwyk118.2 ys yhyt at Caunterbury with the Archbyship,118.3 and the Erle younger brothere118.4 maryed to Sir Eadmund Yngylthorp doughter uppon Seynt Marks Day. The Erle of Worcestr118.5 broght aboute the maryage. The Queen and the Kyng at Herford,118.6 the Lordes Bokyngham,118.7 Shrewsbury,118.8 and otheres ther. And now it ys seyd Herbert118.9 shall com ynne, and apper at Leycester before the Kyng and the Lordes, hys lyfe graunted and godes, so he make amendys to theym he hath offended. Manye be endyted, som causelese, which makyth Herbert partye streng, and the burgeys and gentlemen aboute Herford wille goo wyth the Kyng wyffe and chylde, but a pease be made or the Kyng part thens, for ell[es] Herbert and hys affinite wille acquyt them, as it ys seyd.
The Erle of Warwyk hath had the folks of Caunterbury and Sandwych before hym, and thanked hem of her gode herts and vytaillyng of Calix, and prayeth hem of contynuaunce.
I sende a bille of the namys endyted to my maister and yow, to see and laugh at theyr Wellsh names descended of old pedegris. Our Lord be with yow.
Wryt hastly at London, the fyrst day of May. Botoner.
357 SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON, ESQUIRE119.1
To myne worshipfull cosyn, John Paston, Squier.
About 1457 AUG.
Ryght worshipfull cosyn, I recomaunde me to yow, and thanke yow of youre greet peyn and labores that ye daylye take for me in alle myn causes, for wheche I am greetly holden to yow, God yelde hit yow. And, cosyn, hit is so, as I am enformed, that a fermore of myn maner in Saxthorp, called John Bennes, shuld come be fore yow for to appoynte for suche dewte as he oweth to me upon his ferme. I sende to yow the bokes of his accompt to th’entent that Spyrlyng may awayte upon yow at his comyng, and declare hym his dewte, wheche, as myn receyvore seyth, hit wole drawe to the summe of xlvli. [£45], and more money at Michelmasse now next comyng. And the ferme is but xxli. [£20] yerly, by wheche ye may understande that he hath hadde greet favore in his payementes to his weel and myn greet hurt, as I reporte me to youre greet wysdome. Neverthelesse, sethe hit is so that he hath hadde this advayle upon me, I wold seen now that suche dewte as shal ben dewly founde upon hym by accompt to be made at this day, that I may ther of have payement in hande as reson wole, or of as moche as the day is ronne of; and for the resydewe to have greable sewerte, that is to sey, of xxli. growen at Mihelmasse next comyng, to have payement therof at the Festes of Seynt Andrew and the Annunciacion of our Lady next comyng by even porcions, as in his endenture made of the seyd lees more pleynerly is conteyned. And this don, I am content that he goo at large, and elles that Spyrlyng take a rekenyng of hym, so as I may be aunswered accordyng to the statute, &c. And, cosyn, that overe this ye lyke to yeve credence to the brynger her of of that he shal declare yow in this be half be mouth. And oure Lord kepe yow.
Wreten in hast, at myne manoir of Castre, the Saterday next after our Lady Day the Assumpcion.
And, cosyn, I praye yow that he have none favore other wyse than lawe wole, seyng he is so contraryows for any fayer promyse of his behalf, &c. Youre cosyn, John Fastolf, Ch’r.
358 ABSTRACT120.1
1457 OCT. 2
Copy of a charter granted by John Paston, [patron?] of the church of Gresham, and Robert Miller, . . . . . allowing the prior and convent of St. Sepulchre of The[tford] to distrain for a pension on the vicarage.
2 Oct. 36 Hen. VI.
[This document is mutilated. In the margin is the following note in a modern hand: ‘E. Coll. Fr. Blomefield, Hist. Norf. vol. i. fo. 436.’]
359 ABSTRACT120.2
Sir John Fastolf to ‘my Brother’ William Yelverton, Justice.
1457 OCT. 29
Begs him to continue his kindness especially, now that the Parson, Sir Thomas, comes up to appear before him and other the King’s judges ‘by the cruel and hasty suit of Androus and his affinity.’ Hopes the process sued by him so eagerly ‘upon the unjust condemnation shall be reformed and holpen by the attaint in chastising of perjury that reigneth so much now a days.’ It were a blessed deed if it were reformed by Yelverton. Desires credence for ‘my cousin Paston’ and Sir Thomas in the matter. (Signature not Fastolf’s own.)
Castre, 29 Oct.
[This letter is written in William Worcester’s hand. The suit of Andrews against Howes appears to have been in 1457, as it is referred to afterwards in a writ of the 1st September 1458, which will be found noticed under that date.]
360 SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO STEPHEN SCROOPE120.3
A Stevyn Scrope.
1457 OCT. 30
Worschepeful and my right wel beloved Sone, I comaund me to yow, and hertily thank yow for your good avertismentys, and right well avysed lettres to me sent from tyme to tyme, and so pray yow of your good continuance.
Plese it yow to wete that, for as mech as the parson Sir Thomas Howes cometh up at this tyme by the grevous pursewte of John Andreus and Heydon, to apere be fore the right worschepeful Sir, my right wel be loved brother, your fadir,121.1 and other the Kynges Juges of the Kynges Benche,—I pray zow hertily that ye wille have in remembraunce for to recomaund me to hym whan ye speke with hym, and for to thank hym for his rightful favour shewed in Sir Thomas matier, and in alle other maters that toucheth me, wheche ben attained in that hey courte; and so it lyke yow, pray hym of his good continuance, and I shall doo serve it unto hym to my symple power for his good wyl to me shewed, and to myne; and I trust to God that he shal hold hym plesid. And that it like yow to geve credence to the seid Sir Thomas of that he shal sey to zow for my worschepe and profyte, and that this lettre may recomaund me to my doghtir your wyf, be sechyng the blissed Trinite to sende yow the acomplyshment of your good desyre.
Wretyn at Castre, the xxx. day of Octobr. J. F.
361 RICHARD, EARL OF SALISBURY, TO VISCOUNT BEAUMONT121.2
To the right worchipful and with al myn hert rigt entierly welebiloved Brother, the Viscount Beaumont.
1458(?) JAN. 24
Right worshipful, and, with al myn hert, right entierly wele bilovede brothre, I recomaunde me unto yow. And for somoche as by the Kings moste noblez lettrez brought me late by Hagreston, oon of the gromes of his chambre, I am desirede to come unto his Highnesse to London; wherunto for suche grevous diseas and infirmitees as it hath liked oure Lord to visit me with, wherof Robert Danby can at large declare unto yow, I can ne mowe dispose me, without feynyng, by the trouth I owe unto the King, but that therby I doubt not, I shulde not rekever, daies of my lyfe, suche hurt as, by the reason of the said diseas, wolde grow unto me, the which hath right fervently and sore holden me in many diversez bihalvez, so that, sith my last comyng frome London I had not, by the space of vj. daies togidiez, my helth.
Wherfore, brothre, I pray yow, with al myn hool hert, that it like yow to cal tofore yow the said Robert Danby, and to take of him the vray trouth in the premissez, and therupon to bee my good and tendre moyen, as by your wysdome can best bee thought convenable, unto the Kinges goode grace, for th’excuse of my nown comyng; prayng yow hertly to certifye me, by comers bitwen, suche tidings as ye shal have in thos partiez, with othre your good pleasir to be perfourmed at my power, as knoweth oure Lord, to whom I biseche to ever have yow in his blissed proteccion and keping.
Wryten at Shirrifhoton, the xxiiij. day of Januare.
Your trew brodir, wich prayth you hertely to excuse me to the Kings Heghnesse. R. Salisbury.
362 AGNES PASTON123.1
Erands to London of Augnes Paston, the xxviij. day of Jenure, the yer of Kyng Henry the Sext, xxxvj.
1458 JAN. 28
To prey Grenefeld to send me feythfully word, by wrytyn, who Clement Paston hath do his dever in lernyng. And if he hathe nought do well, nor wyll nought amend, prey hym that he wyll trewly belassch hym, tyl he wyll amend; and so ded the last maystr, and the best that ever he had, att Caumbrege. And sey Grenefeld that if he wyll take up on hym to brynge hym in to good rewyll and lernyng, that I may verily know he doth hys dever, I wyll geve hym x. marcs for hys labor, for I had lever he wer fayr beryed than lost for defaute.
Item, to se who many gownys Clement hathe; and the that be bar, late hem be reysyd. He hathe achort [a short] grene gowne, and achort musterdevelers123.2 gowne, wer never reysyd; and achort blew gowne that was reysyd, and mad of a syde gowne, whan I was last at London; and asyde russet gowne, furryd with bevyr, was mad this tyme ij. yer; and asyde murry gowne was mad this tyme twelmonth.
Item, to do make me vj. sponys, of viij. ounce of troy wyght, well facyond and dubbyl gylt.
And sey Elyzabet Paston that she must use hyr selfe to werke redyly, as other jentylwomen done, and sumwhat to helpe hyr selfe ther with.
Item, to pay the Lady Pole . . . xxvjs. viijd. for hyr bord.
And if Grenefeld have do wel hys dever to Clement, or wyll do hys dever, geffe hym the nobyll. Agnes Paston.
363 AGNES PASTON TO JOHN PASTON124.1
Tho my wele be lovyd son, John Paston, be this delyvered in haste.
Sonne, I grete zow wele, and lete zow wete that for as myche as zoure brothir Clement leteth me wete that ze desyre feythfully my blyssyng,—that blyssyng that I prayed zoure fadir to gyffe zow the laste day that ever he spakke, and the blyssyng of all seyntes undir heven, and myn mote come to zow all dayes and tymes; and thynke veryly non other but that ze have it, and shal have it, with that that I fynde zow kynde and wyllyng to the wele of zoure fadres soule, and to the welfare of zoure bretheren.
Be my conseyle dypose zoureselfe as myche as ze may to have lesse to do in the worlde; zoure fadye sayde: In lityl bysynes lyeth muche reste. This world is but a thorough fare, and ful of woo; and whan we departe therefro, rizth nouzght bere with us but oure good dedys and ylle. And ther knoweth no man how soon God woll clepe hym, and therfor it is good for every creature to be redy. Qhom God vysyteth him he lovyth.
And as for zoure bretheren, thei wylle I knowe certeynly laboren all that in hem lyeth for yow. Oure Lorde have zow in his blyssed kepyng, body and soule.
Writen at Norwyche, the xxix. day of Octobyr. Be zoure modir, A. P.
364 WILLIAM BOTONER TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF125.1
To my ryght worshypful master, Sir John Fastolf.
1458 FEB. 1
Ryght worshypfull Sir, and my ryght gode maister, I recomaund me to yow yn my full humble wyse. Please yow to wete, as to nouveltees here both125.2 Christofr Barker wryteth to you more along.
The Kyng came the last weke to Westminster, and the Duk of Yorke came to London with hys oune housole onlye to the nombre of cxl. hors, as it ys seyd; the Erle of Salysburye with iiijc. [400] hors yn hys companye, iiijxx [fourscore] knyghts and sqwyers.
The Duke of Somerset came to London last day of Janyver with ijc. [200] hors, and loggyth wythoute Temple Barre, and the Duc of Excestr shalle be here thys weke with a grete felyshyp and strong, as it ys seyd.
The Erle of Warwyke ys not yhyt com, because the wynde ys not for hym.
And the Duke of Excester takyth a grete displesir that my Lord Warewyke occupyeth hys office, and takyth the charge of the kepyng of the see uppon hym.
Item, as for tydyng of beyend see, I hyre none certeyn, but that the Frensh Kyng125.3 shulde hafe maryed hys doughter to the Kyng of Hungerye,125.4 whych had the descomfytur uppon the Turks, and the seyd Kyng ys decesed wythynne thys vj. wekes, or the spouselle was made; but he ordeyned or he dyed that the Frensh Kyngs doughter shuld be named Quene of Hungerye duryng hyr lyffe.
Rygt worshypfull Sir, I beseche the blessed Trinite hafe yow yn hys gouvernaunce.
Wrete at London, the fyrst day of Feverzer, anno 36 R. H. VI.
Moreover, please you to wete that William Canyngs the merchaunt wryteth an aunsuer of your lettre. I trust it shall be the better for your wrytyng.
My brother promytted me a certeyn somme when I maryed, and I shall hafe it of my sister yff I may. Your humble servauntte, W. Botoner, dit Worcestyr.
365 ABSTRACT126.1
William Botoner to Sir John Fastolf
1458(?) [FEB.]
You shall know the governance here on Paston’s coming to you better than I can write. The King is gone to Berkhamstead, ‘and it is said my Lords Somerset, Exeter, Clifford, and Egremont, that rode upon Thursday last to the King, they come again to London; and the Lord of Northumberland is come to the King at this time after the Lords’ departing out of London with 3000 or 4000 people, as it is said, but all toke (?) to a good peace, and reconysances made to keep the peace in great sums till Michaelmas, that in the mean time to make a throw peace final by means of all the Lords.’ John Vyncent of Bentley was at the Priory of Lewes in Sussex this week, and says that sixty sail of Frenchmen were sailing before the coasts, keeping the sea. The Lord Fauconberg is at Hampton with his navy. Edmund Clere of the King’s house has heard from a soldier of Calais that Crowmer and Blakeney is much spoken of among Frenchmen. ‘The King’s safe conduct is not holden but broken, as it is voiced here, and that will do no good to merchants till it be amended.’ Figs and raisins are dear at 18s. the croc (?), ‘wherte’ at 10s. the qr., malt 5s. Remains here awaiting for the com[ing of your] officers of Castlecombe to bring up your money. Expects to send £40 by Master Paston. . . . . (Mutilated at the bottom; date lost.)
[The King was at Berkhamstead in the end of June and beginning of July 1450; also on the 3rd March 1453 (from Reading, whither he returned immediately); also in February and March 1458 (from 20th February to 13th March). This letter must have been written in February 1458.]
366 JOHN BOCKING TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF127.1
To my Maister Fastolf, at Castre, in haste.
1458 MARCH 15
Lyke it your maistership to wyte that, as for tidings, the Counsell is, the fornone, at the Blake Frires, for the ease of resorting of the Lordys that are withinne the toun; and at afternone at the White Frirers in Fletstrete, for the Lordis withowte the toun; and all thing shall come to a good conclusion with God is grace, for the Kyng shall come hidre this weke, and the Quene also, as some men sayn, and my Lord Buk,127.2 and Stafford127.3 with hire, and moche puple.
My Lord of Caunterbury takith grete peyne up on hym daily, and will write un to yow the certeynte of suche tidings as falle; and shuld have doon or this tyme, saf for that he wolde knowe an end of the matter.
Other tidings here are none, sauf my Lord of Excestre127.4 is displesid that the Erle of Warwyk shall kepe the see, and hath therfore received this weke ml li. [£1000] of the Hanupere.127.5
The messenger was on horsbak whanne I wrote yow this bill, and therfore it was doon in haste; and our Lord Jesus kepe yow.
Writen at London the Wednesday after Midlenton.
And my Lord of Caunterbury tolde me that the Frenche men have ben before yow, and that ye shotte many gonnes; and so he tolde all the Lords. I have desirid hym to move the Counsell for refreshing of the toun of Yermowth with stuff of ordnance and gonnes and gonne powdre, and he seid he wolde. Your humble servaunt, J. Bokking.
367 WILLIAM CALTHORPE TO JOHN PASTON128.1
To my worshipfull Cosyn John Paston.
1458(?) [MAY 11?]
Right worshipfull Cosyn, I recommaund me unto you, certifying you that your man John Osberne of Walsyngham hath be with me and lete me have knowlage of a commyssion chuld be doun from my lord Chaunceler to Sir Robert Conyers, you other and me, and that ye wold have your day upon Munday or Tewesday at Crowemer, Blakeney or Walsyngham, &c. And after that he was departed from me, ther cam a servaunt from my cosyn Twyer, and seid that his maister hade a letter from you that ze have set to be at Blakeney uppon Munday next comyng. And for as much as I stande in nonn certeyn be cause of variaunce of the massangeres, therfore I send a man of myne to you, praying yowe to sende me verray certeynte and a copy of the commyssion, that my neybures may have knowlage of the kingis entent if the case requyreth so, &c.
I hold Blakeney a resonable place, and if ye kepe youre purpose at Blakeney uppon Munday next comyng I shall mete ther with you, with Goddis grace, Wheche have you ever in His intyer kepyng, &c. Wretyn at Brunham upon the Assencion day of our Lord, &c., By W. Calthorpe.
368 ABSTRACT129.1
John Paston and T. Howys129.2 to Fastolf at Castre
1458 MAY 24
Yesterday ‘I and other of yours’ were at your manor of Bentlay—a right fair manor, in the shrewdest rule and governance. You have had many officers there who, for ill-will, have put out the tenants, and let the lands to your hurt. Some owe for six, some for seven years, etc.
Yesterday Harry Sotehill, of your learned counsel, was with us, and has taken ways in the law, etc. As Barker sends word that the attaint held not, we shall stay the longer. The Lord Egremont sent for my brother, and told him ‘he would see you homeward, as he supposed.’ Take care, therefore, you make no more grants, for you have made too many. Could let Bentlay, with surety, for 500 marks a year; but will not venture, because of the trouble of letting Wyghton, ‘and also till Scrope hath spoken with you,’ who will be with you now, etc.
Doncaster, Wednesday in Pentecost week.
[It appears from an account of Paston’s expenses, of which an abstract is given farther on, that he was at Doncaster in the 36th year of Henry VI.]
369 JOHN JERNYNGAN TO MARGARET PASTON129.3
Unto my ryght wurchipfull Cosyn, Marget Paston, this lettre be delyvered in haste.
1458 JUNE 1
Ryght wurchipfull and my moste beste beloved maystres and cosyn, I recommaund me unto you as lowly as I may, evermor desyring to here of your gode welfar; the whiche I beseche Almyzthy Jesus to preserve you and kepe you to his plesur, and to your gracious herts desyre.
And yf it plese you to here of my welfar, I was in gode hele at the makyng of this lettre, blessed be God.
Prayng you that it plese you for to send me word yf my fadyr wer at Norwiche with you at this Trenite Masse or no, and how the matyr dothe be twene my Maystres Blawnche Wychynham and me, and yf ze sopose that it shall be brought a bowte or no; and how ze fele my fadyr, yf he be wele wyllyng thereto or no; prayng you lowly that I may be recomaund lowly unto my maystres, Arblastres wyfe, and unto my Maystres Blawnche, her dowzther, specially.
Ryght wurchipfull cosyn, yf it plese you for to her of suche tydings as we have her, the basset [embassy] of Burgoyne schall come to Calleys the Saturday130.1 eftyr Corpus Christi day, as men say v. hondred horse of hem. Moreover, on Trenite Sonday,130.2 in the mornyng, came tydings unto my Lord of Warwyke that ther were xxviijte sayle of Spaynyards on the se, and wherof ther was xvj. grete schippis of forecastell; and then my Lord went and manned fyve schippis of forecastell, and iij. carvells, and iiij. spynnes [pinnaces], and on the Monday,130.3 on the mornyng eftyr Trenite Sonday, we met to gedyr afore Caleis, at iiij. at the clokke in the mornyng, and fawz thet gedyr till x. at the clokke; and ther we toke vj. of her [their] schippis, and they slowe of oure men aboute iiijxx [four score], and hurt a ij. hondred of us ryght sore; and ther wer slayne on theyr parte abowte xijxx [twelve score], and hurt a v. hondred of them.
And haped me, at the fyrste abordyng of us, we toke a schippe of iijc. [300] ton, and I was lefte therin and xxiij. men with me; and thei fawzthe so sor130.4 that our men wer fayne to leve hem,130.5 and then come they and aborded the schippe that I was in, and ther I was taken, and was prisoner with them vj. houris, and was delyvered agayne for theyr men that wer taken beforne. And as men sayne, ther was not so gret a batayle upon the se this xl. wyntyr. And for sothe, we wer wele and trewly bette; and my Lord hathe sent for mor scheppis, and lyke to fyzthe to gedyr agayne in haste.
Nomor I write unto you at this tyme, but that it plese you for to recomaund me unto my ryght reverent and wurchipfull cosyn your husband, and myn ownkll Gournay, and to myn awnte his wyfe, and to alle gode maysters and frends where it schall plese yow; and eftyr the writyng I have from you, I schall be at you in alle haste.
Wretyn on Corpus Christi day in gret haste, be your owne umble servant and cosyn, John Jernyngan.
370 HENRY WYNDESORE TO JOHN PASTON131.1
To my full speciall gode Maister, John Paston.
1458(?) [AUG. 27]
Worshipfull Sir, and my full speciall goode maister, after humble recommendacion, please it you to understand that such service as I can doo to your plesir, as to myn understandyng, I have shewed my diligence nowe this shorte season sithen your departyng, and in especiall aboute suche a copie of a foundacion as your maistership commaunded me to gete you a copie of, of the which I sende unto you at this tyme, by my broder William Worcestre, iij. copies writen by Luket, because I had no leisir, but somoch besems in settyng forth my Maistr of the Rolles.131.2 At this tyme, and in all this Kyngs deies, ye can have noon oder accordyng any thing to your entent.
And as for the names of the Poles,132.1 William hath more wrytyng than ye and I coude fynde, foundon by labor made by hym and me. And also, Sir, he hath caused me to examyn olde and mony records, writen by some Frenshman, concernyng the manour of Dedham; that was a comborous labour, for these copies were full defectif, as it apereth by the correctyng of them.
Item, Sir, I may sey to you that William hath goon to scole, to a Lumbard called Karoll Giles, to lern and to be red in poetre or els in Frensh; for he hath byn with the same Caroll every dey ij. tymes or iij., and hath bought divers boks of hym, for the which, as I suppose, he hath put hymself in daunger to the same Karoll. I made a mocion to William to have knoen part of his besines, and he answered and seid that he wold be as glad and as feyn of a good boke of Frensh or of poetre as my Mastr Fastolf wold be to purchace a faire manoir; and therby I understand he list not to be commynd with all in such matiers.
Item, Sir, as for any tidings, William can tell you here at London ar but full fewe; but Henry Bourgchier is ded sodenly at Ludlowe; my Lord of Caunterbury and my Lord Bourgchier shall be this wyk at Hunnesdon, and hunte and sporte theym with Sir William Oldhall.
At this tyme nothyng els to your maistership; but and it please you to remembre my maister at your best leiser, wheder his old promise shall stande as touchyng my preferryng to the Boreshed in Suthwerke. Sir, I wold have byn at a noddr place, and of my maisters owun mocion he said that I shold sett uppon the Boreshed, in the which matier I reporte me to William Worcestre, Bokkyng, and William Barker, and most specially to my maisters awun remembraunce.
I know full well ther cann noo conclusion be taken to myn asayle [avayle ?] without help of your maistership, unto the which I utterly submitte me in this, and in all oder. And our Lord Jesu preserve you and all youres, and send you your herts desire with right.
Writen at London on Sonday next after Seynt Bartholomu Dey in hast.
By your servaunt, Henry Wyndesore.
371 ABSTRACT133.1
1458 SEPT. 1
Writ of pone procured by Thomas Howes, clerk, of Castre, against John Wyndham, Thomas Danyell of Rysyng Castle, Edmund Bukenham of Snyterton, Robert Lethum of Wytton by Blofeld, Simon Gunnor of Estbekham, and sixteen others, for maintaining a plea begun at Westminster without the King’s writ by John Andrew of Beylom, Suffolk, against Howes, whom he had maliciously procured to be indicted.
1 Sept. 37 Hen. VI.
On the back are the words: ‘Manutenencia facta fuit iiijto die Julii anno xxxvto.133.2 Dampna Cli.’
Dampna Cli.’ close quote missing or invisible
372 BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON133.3
To my Maister Paston.
1458
Sir, as I went to my horsward by Lincoln Coke ys place, hyt fortuned that Wymondham and H. Fenne talked to gedre, and called me by my name, and both asked how my maister133.4 fard, &c. Then Fen desyred me abyde to see astate taked yn Lyncoln place by hym boght of Markham. In the meene tyme the seyd Wymondham sent hys man to speke with hym, and yede yn talkyng of Sir Thomas133.5 how he wille help labour to an ende, and had spoke with Heydon yersten efe for the seyd cause. I seyd the cruell amerciementes by their labour, and the [they ?] not beneficed, shewed to grete a malice to undo a preest innocent yn such a cause, &c. After my takyng leefe, he called me ageyn, and seyd that he desyred Sir Thomas to be gode meene to my maister to hafe affeccion to the chylde, &c. I aunsuerd, yff my maister had before the maryage be laboured [i.e. if my master had been applied to before the marriage], hyt had [been] moche esyer to bryng aboute then now. And because hys fadre was so maryed ayenst my maister wille, he nevere wold hafe affeccion to hym all hys lyfe dayes. He seyd that Thomas134.1 was with hys modre ther she duellyth, and yff it please my maister to sende for hym by Sir Thomas meene, &c.
I ensure yow by my soule I brake no mater to hym but of Sir Thomas undoyng, and hys adversaries nevere the better, whych to my power wold help make it knowen to Lordes and all othyrs of the cruell amerciementes, the cruell juge to be knowen as he ys, for I am of hys contrey, and know hys rysyng and maryages as well as hym sylfe. At ix. at clok to hors bake. I pray yow breke my bille (?). Your, H. R.
373 ABSTRACT134.2
Roll of the Personal and other Expenses of John Paston in the 36th and 37th years of Henry VI.
For dress and cloth, various.
‘Liberat’ hospitio,’ £57, 17s. 7d. ‘Item, uxori et pueris domi,’ £8, 19s. 1d. ‘Item, pueris Cantabrig’ cum v. marke (?) per Wekeys,’ 101s. ‘Item, eisdem et sosiis (sic) suis in regard’,’ 4s. 2d. ‘Item, eisdem apud London,’ etc.
‘Item, Henr’ Bolte, capellano pro stipendio usque Pascha, xxxvto.’ 13s. 4d. ‘Et 17 die Julii pro ij. quart’,’ 26s. 8d.
‘Expencæ forinsecæ.’—‘Pro fine Domino Regi facto quod Johannes Paston non sit miles.’ Expenses with Munford at Thetford, 2s. 1d. ‘Item, in exemplificatione Ecclesiæ de Gresham, Magistro Bulman,’ 3s. 8d. ‘Item, expenc’ equorum Fastolf Norwici ij. vic. et Alexand’ apud Forncet,’ 3s. 1d. ‘Item, præsentatio angnellorum data Radclyff,’ 18d. To Alexander coming from Cambridge. ‘Item, in coltellis apud Dancaster datis servientibus Fastolf et meis,’ 3s. 4d. Glazing Chapel at Mauteby, 10s. ‘Pro arrestatione Carroli Nowell apud Bury septimana Matthiæ,’ 3s. 8d. Expenses of Ball’s horse at Berkwey for six weeks, 10s. ‘Item, expenc’ meæ versus Snaylwell et redeundo de Bury,’ 5s. 4d. ‘Item, expenc’ Norwici ad cess’ hospic’ existent’ apud Heylysdon,’ 18d. ‘Item, expenc’ meæ apud Sweynsthorp,’ 8d.
In Easter and Trinity terms.—Paid to William Wyrcester ‘equitanti super negotia maritagii sororis,’ 10s. For wine and spice with Fortescu and Wentworth, 23d.
Hilary term.—Lent to James Arblaster at London, 40s. ‘Item, exequiæ Edmundi Paston,’ 2s. 4d. To divers poor people of Norwich for relief of their charge ‘circa reparationem murorum civitatis,’ 7s.
‘equitanti super negotia maritagii sororis,’ 10s. “s.” printed in roman (non-Italic) type
374 ELIZABETH POYNINGS TO AGNES PASTON135.1
To my right worshypfull moder, Agnes Paston.
1459 JAN. 3
Right worshipfull and my most entierly belovde moder, in the most louly maner I recomaund me unto youre gode moderhode, besekeyng you dayly and nyghtly of your moderly blissing, evermore desiryng to her of your welfare and prosperite, the which I pray God to contynw and encresce to your herts desyre. And yf it lyked your gode moderhode to here of me and how I do, at the makyng of this lettre I was in gode hele of body tanked be Jesu. And as for my mayster, my best beloved that ye call, and I must nedes call hym so now, for I fynde noon other cause, and as I trust to Jesu non shall; for he is full kynde unto me, and is as besy as he can to make me sur of my joyntor, wherto he is ibounde in a bonde of mlli. to you mother, and to my brother John, and to my brother William, and to Edmund Clere,136.1 the which neded no such bond. Wherfore I beseke you, gode moder, as our most synguler trost is yn your gode moderhode, that my maistr, my best beloved, fayle not of the C. marc at the begynnyng of this terme, the which ye promysed hym to his mariage, with the remanent of the money of faders wille; for I have promytted faithfully to a gentilman, called Bain, that was oon of my best beloved suertees, and was bounde for hym in CCli., of which he reherseth for to ryseyve at the begynnyng of thys terme Cxxli., and yf he fayle therof at this tyme, he wille clayme the hool of us, the which were to us to grete an hurt; and he con not make an ende with noon of hys other suertees withoute this seyd sylver, and that con my brother John telle yow wel i nough, and it lusteth hym to do soo, and in all other thyngs. As to my Lady Pool,136.2 with whom I sojerned, that ye wul be my tendr and gode moder that she may be payde for all the costes doon to me before my maryage, and to Christofre Houson, as ye wrote unto my brother John that I shuld have ben so; and that it plese your gode moderhode to yeve credence to William Worcestr. And Jesu for his grete mercy save yow.
Written at London, the Wendysday the iij. day of Janyver. By your humble doughter, Elyzabeth Ponynggs.
375 JOHN PASTON, THE ELDER SON, TO HIS FATHER137.1
To my ryght wyrschypful fadre, John Paston, Esquyer, be thys letter delyveryd in hasty wyse.
1459 MARCH 5
Ryght worschypful Syr, in the most lowly wyse, I comaund me to yowr good faderhod, besechyng yow of yowre blyssyng. Mut it plese yowr faderhod to remembre and concydre the peyn and hevynesse that it hath ben to me syn yowr departyng owt of thys contre, here abydyng tyl the tyme it please yow to schewe me grace, and tyl the tyme that by reporte my demenyng be to yowr plesyng; besechyng yow to concydre that I may not, ner have noo mene to seke to yow as I awght to do, and savyng under thys forme, whych I besech yow be not take to no dysplesur, ner am not of power to do any thynge in thys contre for worschyp or profyht of yow, ner ease of yowr tenantys whych myght and scholde be to yowr pleasyng. Wherfor I besech yow of yowr faderly pyte to tendre the more thys symple wryghtyng, as I schal owt of dowght her after doo that schal please yow to the uttermest of my power and labor; and if ther be any servyce that I may do if it please yow to comaund me, or if y maye understonde it, I wyl be as glad to do it as any thyng erthely, if it wer any thyng that myght be to yowr pleasyng. And no mor, but Allmyghty God have yow in kepyng.
Wretyn the v. day of Marche. By your older sone, John Paston.
376 ABSTRACT138.1
Sir John Fastolf to John Paston and Sir Thomas Howes, Parson of Blofeld
1459 APRIL 13
As you desire me to write letters to certain lords, etc., on ‘such matters as ye beth now to London for,’ and as you know best what it would be most expedient for me to write, I send my servant Colyn Newman to you with my signet sealed in a little leather bag, under a signet of a ram, that you and William Jenney, or two of you, may make out letters in my name as you think fit, keeping copies of those you write. When Sir Thomas comes home again, let him bring back my signet sealed under your signets and the copies you have sent. ‘And also peradventure I might as well write to them that ben away as to those that been present. And among others ye may say to my nephew, Henry Filongley, I trust right greatly in my Lord Treasurer’s good Lordship that he will be my good Lord’s supporter to me in my right.’
Castre, 13th April 37 Hen. VI. (Signature not Fastolf’s own.)
377 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON138.2
Tho my ryth worschopfful hossebond, John Paston, in hast.
1459 APRIL 29
Rythe worchepfwl hosbond, I recommawnd me onto yow. Plesyth you to wete that on Thorisday last was ther wer browt unto this towne many Prevy Selis, and on of hem was indosyd to yow, and to Hastynggs, and to fyve or sexe odyr gentylmen; and anodyr was sent onto yowr sone, and indosyd to hym selfe alone, and asynyd wythinne wyth the Kynggys howyn hand, and so wer bwt fewe that wer sent, as it was told me; and also ther wer mor specyal termys in hys then wern in oderys. I sey a copy of thoo that wer sent onto odyr gentylmen. The intent of the wrytyng was, that they sshuwlde be wyth the Kyngg at Leycester the x. day of May, wyth as many personys defensebylly arayid as they myte acordyng to her degre, and that they schwld bryng wyth hem for her expensys for ij. monythis. As for the lettyr that was indosyd to yow and to odyr, it was delyveryd to Welyam Yelvyrton, for ther aperyd no mor of the remwlawnt. Hastynggs is forthe into Yorke schyr.
I prey yow that ye vowchesaf to send word in hast how ye wyl that yor sone be demenyd herin. Men thynk her, that ben yowr wel wyllerys, that ye may no lesse do than to send hym forthe. As for hys demenyng, swn ye departyd, in god feythe, it hath ben ryth good, and lowly, and delygent inn ovyr sythe of yowre servawntys, and odyr thinggys, the whiche I hope ye wold abe plesyd wyth, and ye had be at hom. I hope he wyl be well demenyd to plese yow heraftyrward. He desyryd Alblaster to bemene139.1 to yow for hym, and was ryte hevy of hys demenyng to yow, as I sent yow word also be Alblaster, how I dede to hym aftyr that ye wer go; and I beseche yow hartyly that ye wochesaf to be hys god fadyr, for I hope he is schastysyd, and wil be the worher [worthier ?] heraftyr.
As for alle odyr tynggys at hom, I hope that I and odyr schal do howr part ther inne, as wel as we may, bwt as for mony it comyth bwt slowly. And God have yow in hys kepyng, and sen yow good sped in alle yowr matteris.
Wretyn in hast at Norwece, on the Sonday next before the Assencyon Day.
Ser, I wold be ryte glad to he [hear] swmme gode tydynggys fro yow. Be yorys, M. P.
378 OSBERT MUNDEFORD TO JOHN PASTON140.1
A mon treshonnoure Seigneur, Jehan Paston, Escuier.
1459(?) MAY 25
Treshonnoure Sire, je me recommande a vous tant que je puis, et vous prie qu’il vous plaise me recommander a ma maistresse vostre noble espouse et a tous voz enffans, et que ne soit point mis en oubly mon petit homme d’armes. Et oultre vous plaise me recommander a mon Maistre Yelverton et mon Maistre Caulthorpe, et a touz mes autres maistres et amis de pardela ou sera vostre bon plaisir. Et vous mercie des grans plaisirs et amitiez que avez faitz et monstrez a moy et aux miens, lesquelz Dieu me doint deservir. Treshonnoures Sire, plaise vous savoir que mon frere Jehan a Bernay ma escript dune matere dont me touchastes, moy estant parde la, a laquelle vostre desir vouldroit l’onneur des deux pars, et de laquelle matere le porteur de cestes vous informera, et des nouvelles de pardeca s’il vient a voz bons plaisirs. Et vouldroye bien que vous et mon dit frere Jehan a Bernay voulsissez communiquer avecques la personne aqui la matere touche, et que je peusse savoir son entente, affin dy otemperer, car je luy vouldroye faire plaisir et service; car je y suis tenu, et la chose sera en partie reglee par vous et par mondit frere, mais je veil estre le tiers, et une autre personne sera le quart. Treschere et treshonnoure Sire, je vous recommande tout mon fait de pardela, et sy faiz je la petite Marie, pour laquelle je vous mercie, et especiallement ma damoiselle vostre fame et noble espouse, et me desplaist de la grant paine et charge que avez pour elle; mas Dieu me doint grace que je le puisse aquicter. Priant nostre Seigneur qui soit garde de vous, et vous doint bonne vie et longue, et joyeulx acomplissement de touz voz desirs.
Escript a Calais, le xxvme jour de May. Le tout votre serviteur, Osberne Mundeford.
379 WILLIAM BARKER TO JOHN PASTON141.1
To myn ryght worshypfull [m]ayster, John Paston, at London, atte the Temple.
1459 JUNE 24
Please youre maystership that as to morwen a newe inquirendum shal be taken at Wycham Markette for the parsonage of Rendelesham for one Mayster John Clerke, a chapeleyn of the Lady Roos; and Sir Thomas141.2 shuld a ben there, but he is hurte of an hors, and also hit was so late warnyng that we myght not ben there; and, as Mayster Steven seyth, hit should not a avayled, thow one hadde bene there, and elles I wold a labored theder myn self. But he seyth and [i.e. if] ye wold speke to myn Lord Norwych, and enforme hym of the trought of the mater, he shal never presente ner inducte non tyl the ryght of the patentes be discussed, and also we may after wardes hald a melius inquirendum. Mayster Steven hath wreten to Sir John Bulman all the tytles and presentacions, and therefore, if hit please yow to comon with hym, ye shall understande all the mater by hym how myn Lord is disposed. And [if] Mayster Robert Eppeswell is now at London, hit were shame that they shuld have ther entent. Sir Phillip Wentworth groundeth not his presentacion by the patent, but by the endenture a twyxt the wedewe and hym, &c. Myn mayster is as freshe as ever he was this ij. yere, thanked be God. And youre mater that ye have meved of to Sir Thomas for the porchase, &c., myn mayster is weel agreed therto, but fyrst hit was taken strangely, &c. Almyghty Jesu preserve yow, myn worshipfull mayster, to youre desyre after his pleser and youre trewe entent.
Hastly at Norwyche, on Seynt John Day, at vij. of the clokke at even. Youre owen man, W. Barker, Per mandat’ T. H.
380 ABSTRACT142.1
Sir John Fastolf to John Paston
1459 JULY 3
‘Hit is to remember my cousin, John Paston, that where as he desired to have the names of the new feoffment of the manor of Dedham that William Geney might see to ground such matter upon as might be for the surety of the said manor, I sent a copy of the said feoffment by John Daunson the last week.’ Gives other points of information asked for. Has caused the patent to be written and sealed for Rauff Alygh’s fee. Paston is to oversee the evidences of Fastolf’s tenement by St. Olave’s Church, which one Laurence Donne has summoned. Philip Grocer on London Bridge is a great maintainer of Donne. As to the matters moved by Stephen Scrope and Richard Byngham has lately written by Daunson ‘to my said cousin’ and to William Yelverton of his intent, and given them full power to appoint with them. (Signature not his own.)
Castre, 3 July 37 Hen. VI.
Would like Paston and Hue at Fenne to see a speedier mean for the recovery of the 300 marks adjudged to Fastolf to be received of the Lady Fulthorp for the ward of Thomas Fastolf.
[From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 250.] closing ] missing
381 JOHN, LORD LOVEL, TO VISCOUNT BEAUMONT143.1
To my right worshipfull, and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, my Lord Beaumont.
Between 1454 and 1459
Right worshipfull and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, I recomaunde me unto youre good Lordship. Please it yow to wit, I have consayvid your writyng right well; and for asmoche as ye desure the stiwardship of Baggeworth for youre wilbeloved Thomas Everyngham, which y trowe verely be right a good and a feithfull gentilman. How be it, my Lord, youre desure shall be had in all that is in me; and at the instaunce of your Lordship, y by th’avise of my counceill, shall gyf it hym in writyng undre suche fourme as shall please yow, wheryn y wold be glad to doo that at might please youre good Lordship, prayng yow right hertly ye wold be myn especiall good lord and fadre in all suche [matters] as ye can thynk shuld growe to my worship or profite in any wise, as my synguler trust is moost in yow. And y alwey redy to doo yowe servyse with Goddes grace, who have yow, my right worshipfull and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, ever in His blessid kepyng.
Written at Rotherfild Gray, the xxiiij. day of Juyle, &c.
Furthermore, my Lord, and it like yow, my Lady my modre recommaundid her unto your good Lordship, yn whom her moost feith and trust is in, prayng yow, ye woll be good brother unto her, for she hath taken yow for her chief counceill, &c. John, Lord Lovell.
382 ELIANOR, DUCHESS OF NORFOLK, TO VISCOUNT BEAUMONT143.2
To my right worshipfull and right entierly welbelovid cousin, the Viscount Beaumont.
1444- 1460
Right worshipfull and right entierly welbelovid cousin, I comaunde me to you with alle my herte, desiring to here, and verile to knowe of your worshipfull estate, profite, hele and good prosperite, the whiche I beseche our Lord Jesu ever to mayntene and preserve in alle worship, to his plesaunce, and to your herts ease.
Please it you, cousin, to witte that your welbelovid servaunt, Roger Hunt, and a servaunt of my moost dred Lord my husbond, on William, yoman of his ewry,144.1 have comend to gedre, and been fully thorgh and agreed that the said William shall have his office, if it may please your good Lordship. Wherfore, cousin, I pray you, as my speciale truste is in you, that ye will, at th’instaunce of my proier and writing, graunte by your lettres patents to the said William the forsaid office, with suche wages and fees as Roger your said servaunt hath it of you; trustyng verile that ye shall fynde the said William a faithfull servaunt to you, and can and may do you right good service in that office.
And, cousin, in th’acompleshment of my desire in this mater, ye may do me a right good pleaser, as God knowith, whom I beseche for His merci to have you ever in His blessed gouvernaunce, and send you good lyfe and long, with muche good worship.
Writen at Framlynham, the viijth day of Marche. Elianore, the Duchess of Norfolk.
383 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON144.2
To my Mayster, Jon Pastone, Esqwyer, be this letter presentid.
Jesu mercy.
1459
Ryte reverent mayster, &c., as sone as ze may goodly, comyth to Castre, and Zelverton144.3 with zow, and ze think it to be done; and sendyth home zowr men and hors, tyl ze haf do here, &c. And by grace of God and zour polityk wisdham, ze schal conclude more effectually in gret matyers of substans, to my maysterys144.4 and zour worschip and profyte. It is hey tyme; he drawyt fast home ward, and is ryte lowe browt, and sore weykid [weakened] and feblyd, &c. And ze must bryng with zow a forme of a supplicacyon made at London in what maner wyse Mr. R. Popy, a cunnyng and a crafty man, schal presentyn and purposyn to the Kyng for the inmorteysing of Castre to Seynt Benet, &c., which he promittyd up [promised upon] a certeyn mony, &c., and undirtoke it, &c., and fond that tyme no bonys in the matere, &c. And now he seyth he wil labour and ryde and do hise part, &c. And he wold haf me to help hym, &c., quod non fiet, &c., or elles a man of credens of my masterys, &c., quod dubito fieri, &c. God bryng zow sone hidyr, &c., for I am weri tyl ze come.
Sir Thomas the parson, zowr owne most trewe, &c., be myn trewthe, and I zour bedeman and zowrs at zour comaundement, in zour letter haf no more towchid of the mater, &c., to my mayster, &c. Every day this v. dayes he seyth, ‘God send me sone my good cosyn Paston, for I holde hym a feythful man, and ever on man.’ Cui ego, ‘That is soth,’ &c. Et ille, ‘Schew me not the mete, schew me the man.’ Hæc verba replicat sæpius cum magno stomacho, &c. Colinus Gallicus dicit in Jernemuta et aliis locis se esse executorem, &c. Dixit etiam heri coram pluribus, si semel fuerit London’ nunquam vult videre Norfolchiam, &c. Dicit etiam, ubi executores credunt se habituros claves, &c., post mortem alii habebunt claves, ita bene sicut illi, &c. Falsissimus est, et ego bene dixi in partem suam inter ipsum et me, &c. Propter Deum, faciatis Spirlyng venire juxta promissum in f’cū [factum ?], &c. Gallicus ipse maxime odit rectorem et vellet supplantare eum, &c. Item, valde desiderat suum, quietus est quia absit, &c.
Henricus Todyham continue aspirat post mortem magistri cum mille habeat oculos nocendi, &c., si quorum duos deperderit, nullus cæteros timeret, &c.
384 WILLIAM JENNEY TO JOHN PASTON146.1
To my worshipful and right gode mayster, John Paston, Squyer.
1459(?) AUG. [22]
Wurshipful sire, and my right gode mayster, I recomaunde me to zou, and hertely I thanke zour gode maystership that ze liked to sende my mayster zour sone to Sporle with suych felaship as ze dede, for which I am ever bounde to doo zou service, prayeng zou of zour gode contenuaunce.
Sire, the cause why I kam not was this: I was falle seek with an axez [ague], and truly that caused me that I and my felaship taryed; and so be cause theroffe I caused my lady to wryte a specyall lettre to my Lord Scales. But for al that Blake hath hoom the corn in my Lady of Suffolkys name. And the cause why I sent no wurd of my seknes was, that I wuld not myn enmy shuld be rejoysed be the knowlych of my seknesse. So God help me, the felaship that was redy to goo was right sory that thei myght not goo furth with me; and my lordes and my ladyes wyl was that thei shuld have goon further. But if I had been heil and not seek, there shuld have kome a wurshipful felaship out of Suffolk of so litel warnyng; but truly I lay seek at Ipeswych of the axcez bothe Sunday and Monday. But, sire, syn ze have shewed me so kyndely zour gode maystership, I praye zou I may have your felaship redy at a nothir tyme to help to execute a commyssion touchyng Blake, and that thei may be redy withinne ij. dayez after ze have warnyng. And, sire, my service is redy to zou at alle tymys, as ze shewe me gret cause to doo zou service. Wreten at Thelton,147.1 the Wednysday next before Seynt Bertilmew Day in haste. Your servaunt, William Jenney.
The sections headed First Draft and Second Draft were printed in facing columns. Asterisks and brackets are in the original, as explained in the first Footnote. Missing or misplaced brackets have been left as printed. All sections originally labeled Second Draft are shown on a shaded background.
385 WILL OF SIR JOHN FASTOLF147.2
1459 NOV. 3
In the name and the wurship of the holy, blyssydfull Trynite [in the year] of our Lord Jesu Crist, MlCCCCLIX., and in the xxxviij. yeer of [our souerayn Kyng] of Englonde and of Fraunce, Herry the Sexte, the iij. day of the moneth [of] Novembre,147.3 I, John Fastolf of Castre, be Gret Jernemuth, of the counte of [Norfolk], Knyght, beynge in good remembraunce, albeit I am sykly and thorwh age infeb[led], bryngyng to mende and often revolvynge in my soule how this world is tra . . . and how, amongs all e[r]thely thynges that is present or for to come, there is noe thynge in this onstable world so serteyn to creature of man kende as is departynge out of this world be dethe, the soule from the wrechyd body; and noo thynge erthely so onserteyn as the oure and tyme of deth—Therefore I, willynge and desyringe that of suche goodes of substaunce worldly, mevabill and onmevable, that God of hise bounteuous grace hathe sent me in my lif to dispose and ocupye, that they be disposed as it may be thowght best for the helthe of my soule and to the plessaunce of God, and also for the relyf, soccour, and helpe of the soulez that I am most oblygid and bounde to purveye and doo . . . for, as the soule of John Fastolf, my fadyr, Dame Mary, doutyr of Nicholas . . . . . my modir, and the soule of Dame Milcent, my wiff, the dautyr of [Sir Robert] Tibtot, knyght, and for the soulez of othyr of myn . . . . . . . kynsefolke and speciall frendes here undir wretyn,—I ordeyn and . . . . . this my last will in fourme and maner folwyng:—
[Second Draft.]
[First Draft.]
Firste, Forasmyche as for the welfare of my soule and of the soules forseyd, and for ese, support, and helpe of the pore inhabitantes in the cuntre of Flegge, and for to avoyde that noo lord nor gret astat shuld inhabit in tyme comyng withinne the gret mancion be me late edified and motid in Castre forseid, I have of long tyme been in purpose to stablishe and founde a collage withinne the seyd gret mancion, and soo to purveye that suche as I lovyd and thought behoffefull for the seyd cuntre, and that noon othyr, shulde inhabite in the seyd mancion with the collagyens of the seyd collage: Therfor, and for the senguler love and trust that I have to my seyd cosyn John Paston, [abov]e all othyr, beyng in veray beleve that he will execute my will here in, I will and ordeyne, as he and I have covinauntyd and been accordyd that he shall, with inne resonable tyme aftyr my deseas, founde or do founde . . . . and indewe withinne the seid mancion a collage of vij. religeous monkys or pristes, to preye for the soules above seyd in perpetuite, of whiche one to be cheif governour of hem, and he to have xli., and iche othyr prist or monk [of the said co]llage x. marks yeerly for here sustenaunce and fynding, clerly paid in mony, and that the seyd collagyens shull be soo indewyd that be syde here seyd pencions for here propir levynge to be grauntyd hem, they . . . . . inmorteysid to hem to fynde vij. pore folke yeerly in perpetuite in the seyd mancion of Castre to preye for the soulis above seyd in perpetuite. Of whiche pore folk iche of hem to have xls. a yeer or th . . . . ere levynge, fynding, and sustentacion; and that the seyd John Paston shall ordeyne and make swyr to the seyd collagyens, and to the seyd pore folke a suffecient summe, and a competent and an esy dwellynge place . . . . . seid collagyens nor here successorys beryng no reparacion there of, for whiche and for othyr consyderacionis above seyd, I will, graunte, and ordeyne that the seyd John Paston shall have in fee symple, to hy[m and his heirs] all the manerez, londes, and tenementes in Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwiche in whiche the seyd John Paston or ony othyr to myn use are or were feffyd in or have title to, and that all feffeez feffyd in the seyd manerez, londes, and . . . er astat of the seyd manerez, londes, and tenementes to suche personys, and at suche tymes and in suche fourme as the seyd Paston, hise heyris or his assigneez, shall requyre hem, or ony of hem. And the seyd John Paston . . . . . seyd collage shal bere and paye to my behoff, towardes the paymentys of my dettes and othir thynges, be my present will assygnid to be do, mlmlmlml. [4000] mark, in suche fourme and at suche tyme as in this my present will . . . . . . . here aftir folwyng:—
* [Fyrst, I will and ordeyne that, if it plese oure sovereynge lord Kynge Herry the Sexte, or hese heyre Kynges, for the longe contynwyd servise be me in the daye of strengthe and helthe of my body, to hym and to the noble Kynge Herry the Forthe and Herry the Fifte, hise progenitoris, and to hise noble uncles John Duke of Bedford, Thomas Duke of Clarence, whill they were in the werrys of oure seyd sovereyng Lord and hise noble progenitorys forseid, in Fraunce and Normandy as in cuntreez and othyr placis, consederynge my many gret labourys, peynis, and perilis in the seyd servise of oure sovereyn Lord and hise noble progenitoris forseyd, and hise pleyntyuous grace withoutyn ony other . . . . . of myn executores namyd in my testament, or ellys for a resonable sume of [money] whiche oure seyd sovereyn Lord owith me, or in othir wise, or be ony othyr meane, so as myn executores therein shall accorde with oure seyd sovereyn Lord and hise counsell, or with hise heire Kynges and here councell, to lycence and graunte to them that be feffyd to myn use in my Lordshepis manerez, londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, with here appurtenaunces, or to here assigneez aftyr the effecte and forme of the lawe, by the avyse of myn executores, to ordeyne, founde, and stablishe, withinne the gret mancion or dwelynge place late be me newe edified and motid in the town of Castre, be Gret Jernemuth, in the counte of Norffolk, whiche mancion or dwellyng place I was born in, a collage of a prioury of vj. religeous personis, monks of the ordir of Seynt Benett, and to inmorteise and graunte to the seyd priour and vj. religeous personis, or to here successorys, the forseyd mancion or dwellynge place, with all the appurtenauncez and othir suffecient and cleer lyflode of the forseyd lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, for the sustentacion of the seyd priour and vj. religeous personys and here successorys, and for here othyr chargys and reparacionis, and for vij. pore men in the seyd collage in perpetuite, be the avise and discrecion of myn executores forseid, to be foundyd and susteynid; and that thanne the forseyd feffees or her assignees if they . . . . grauntes of othyr havyng entresse in this be halve requisit lawefully shul make, founde, and stablishe, or doo be made, founde, and stablishid in the seyd collage, with the seyd priour and vj. religeous men, ever to endure, for to prey for my soule and for the soulez of my fadir and my modir, and of all my kynsefolk and good doeres, and for the soulez of the blissyd memorye Kynges forseyd, Herry the Forthe and Herry the Fifte, and the seyd noble Dukys, and for the good astat and prosperite of oure sovereyn Lord durynge hese lyf tyme, and aftyr for hese soule, and for all Cristeyn soules, therefor to synge and sey dayli devyne servise and preyeris in perpetuite; and to be of the orderis, proffession, obedyence, and governaunce of the ordyr of Seynt Benettes, and of the same ordyr and profession as been the monkes of Seynt Benettes in Holme, in the counte of Norffolk, and shalbe stablyshid be the good avyse of myn executorys: And thoo feffeez forseyd, or here assygnez, inmorteyse and graunte, or do been inmorteised and grauntid, feffe sufficiently swyrly and lawfully to the seyd pryour and religeous, [and to their] successores, the forseyd mancion and dwellynge place, with the appurte[nances], . . . . sufficient, swyr, and cleer lyflode of the for seyd lordshepis maneres . . . . rentes, servisez, with here appurtenancez in Castre forseyd, and in all othir placis . . . . . lithe next the seyd mancion or dwellynge place, for the sustenaunce [of the] seyd priour and vj. religeous men and here successoris, here servauntis, and the [seyd] vij. pore men: And for the chargys and reparacionis forseyd, to the yeerly valew of thre hundryd markes starlyng over all chargys; to have and to holde to the forseyd religeous men and to here successoris for ever; providid alwey that the seyd priour and religeous men and here successoris be bounden and compellabill suffeciently in lawe be the discrecion of my seyd executoris, to susteyne the forseyd vij. pore men contynwally, suffeciently, and convenyently in all thyngis withinne the seyd collage for ever, and for to preye for the soulys afore seyd.] *
* [Item, I will and graunte that if outhyr the forseyd licence and graunte of oure seyd sovereyn Lord, or of hise heyre Kynges, or the licence or graunt of ony othyr . . . . entresse in this behalve be not lawefully, swyrly, and suffeciently . . . . . . . that thanne my seid executorys shall geve or do be gove to . . . . . . of the monastery of Seynt Benettes of Holme for seyd, lyflode or mony competent . . . . . seyd abot and covent or here successorys, and my seyd executores shal accorde there in be here wise discrecionis, for the indewement and sustentacion of vj. monkes in the seyd monastery and vij. pore men in the same monastery, to prey for the soulys forseyd in perpetuite, to be foundyd, susteynid, and kept, providid that the vj. monkes forseyd be aumentyd abovyn the noumbre of monkes of here ferst fundacion, and over the noumbre that they now use to kepe in the seyd monastery, and that lawefull and agreable swyrte perpetualy be made be the avyse of myn seyd executores, aswell for the augmentacion, susteyning, and kepynge of the seyd vj. monkys, as for the convenyent and suffecient sustentacion, fyndyng, and kepyng of the seyd vij. pore men in perpetuite, to preye as is afore seyd.
Item, I wyll, ordeyne, and graunte that all othir lorshepis, manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenaunce, in whiche ony persone or personis been feffid in, or have astat or possession, or be in titlid to myn use be the lawe, except the seyd manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, in the shirez of Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwiche, in the article next presedent specified, shull be sold be the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys, ij. of myn executoris. And I will, graunte, and ordeyne that the seyd John and Thomas, and noon othir while they leve, shall have the sengler rewle, sale, and disposecion of all my londes forseyd, except before except, and execucion of this my last will and of every article there in; and I will that the seid John and Thomas shall have all the profitez and avaylez and emolwements of the seyd maneris, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with all othir comoditeez thereof comyng, til be them they be sold, and the mony of the profites and salis thereof comynge, be them to be disposed for the welfare of my soule and of the soulez forseyd duryng the lyf of the seyd John and Thomas; and in cas this my will be not executyd in theyre [liv]es, that thanne the execucion be thereof doon be othyr myn executores that aftyr hem too shal have the mynistracion of my goodes.
* [It]em, I will and ordeyne that all and singuler lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, [ren]tes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, in whiche ony persone or personys are feffid in or have astat and possession to myn use, in whiche sum ever counteez or townez the said lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez bein withinne the ream of Englond; and that all the forseyd and senguler lordshepys, manerez, tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenaunce, in whiche ony person or personys been intitlyd to myn use be the lawe, shull be sold be my seyd executoris, except manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, as shall be morteysyd to the seyd collage, if the fundacion thereof take effecte: And that the mony of the sale or salys comynge be disposed be my seyd executores in executyng of thys my last wyll and testament, and in othyr dedes of almesse as my seyd executores be here discrecion shal seme best to plese God for the helthe of my soule and for the soulys forseyd: And that happe the fundacion of the seyd collage to take to noon effecte, nor the seyd collage foundyd, that thanne the lordshepis, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servise, with here appurtenancez, whiche shul bee assygnid to the seyd morteysyng, also shull be sold [be my]n executores, and the mony thereof comyng to be disposed be [myn] executores in executyng and parformynge of my will and testament, and in othyr dedes of mercy, pite, and almesse as shal seme best to my seyd executores for the soulez afore seyd and the soulys undyr wretyn.] *
* [Item, I will and ordeyne that my seyd executoris shull take and have all the issews, avaylez, profitez, and emolwementes of all and senguler lordshepys, manerez, londes, tenementes, rentes, and servisez forseyd, with here appurtenaunce, excepte before except, to be geve to the seyd collage, on to tyme they be sold feithefully and trewly be my seyd executores; and on to tyme that they that shull be purchasorys be feithefull and trewe bargeyne thereof made be twene hem and my seid executorys, shull take and have the issewes, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes, withoute fraude or male ingyne. And also I wyll and ordeyne that my forseyd executores shull take and have all the issewys, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes of all and senguler aforn except l . . . . . londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, with here appurtenauncez, on to tyme . . . . . and vj. religeous men or here successoris, if the forseyd admynistracion . . . . . . shull have and take lawefull and feithfull estat beforce of the seyd inmorteys[yng], or ellys that they be feithfully and trewly accordid with my seid executorys for the takyng and havyng of the issewes, profitez, and avayles, and emolwementes withoute fraud or male ingyne. And if the seyd inmorteysyng take noon effecte, I will and ordeyne that my seyd executores shull have and take all and senguler issewys, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes of the forseyd except lordshepys, londes, manerez, and tenementes, rentes, and servicez, with here appurtenaunces, tyl they be feithefully and trewly sold be my seyd executores, unto tyme that they that shalbe purchasorys thereof, be feithefull and trewe bargayne be twene them and my seyd executores thereof made, shull take thoo issewys, profitez, and avaylez, and emolwements thereof, withoute fraude or male ingyne. And I will and ordeyne that my seyd executores shull dispose all and senguler issewys, profitez, avaylez, and emolwementes afornseyd for my soule, and for the soulys aforn rehersyd, as they shall seme beste to the plesure of God.] *
Item, forasmyche as it is seyd that dyverse personis of dyverse desentes pretende . . . . . . at this day to be next heneritere [inheritor] to me aftyr my deseas, where . . . . . . . . . . . . knowe that no creature hathe title or right to inheryte ony . . . . . . . . . . . londes and tenementes, rentes, and servisez that ever I hadde, or ony persone or personys . . . . . . have to myn use; therfor I will and ordeyne that no persone nor personis as hey . . . me for no douteful or obskure materes conteynid in this my present will, nor for noon othyr, shall take ony maner of avauntage, benefice, or profit be ony manner meanys or weyes, of ony manerez, lordshepis, londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, goodes, or catellys that were myn at ony tyme.
Item, I will and ordeyne and graunte that myn executoris [before namyd], or the more part of them152.1 and noon othir, shall have the decleracion and interpretacion of all and senguler articles, chapetris, clausis, whiche and wordes in this my last will hadde and wretyn, in whiche articlis, chapetris, clausis, and wordes ony doute or doutez, dirknesse or dyversite of undirstondyng shall falle or happe to be founde, and that no persone or personys be reson of suche articlys, chapetris, clausys, or wordes, have or take ony profit or avauntage othyr wise thanne aftyr the maner and fourme of declaracion and interpretacion of my seyd [too namyd]152.2 executors.
Item, I will, ordeyne, and comaunde that all my dettes that is owynge [be] me be dewe examynacion be fully payd and contentyd to the creditoris, which can be foundyn dewe that is owynge be me; and also that all wronges, trespacis, offencis, and grevys be me doon or comyttid, if ony bee, that ony maner persone hathe been hyndryd or damagid wrongfully, if ony suche bee that can suffeciently and lawefully be previd and knowe, I wyll fyrst be fore all othyr thinges it be speed that myn executores do make amendes, restitucion, and satisfaction to thoo personys or to here executorys by me damagyd and hyndred as concience and good feithe requyreth.
Item, I will and ordeyne that in every town in which I or ony to myn use have lordshepys, manerez, londes, and tenementes that the pore pepyl of the tenure of the seyd town have ij. yeer to gethyr in reward after theyre afferaunt and quantite of the x. part of oon yeerly valewe and reveneuse of the seyd [lor]dshepis, manerez, londes, tenementes, and rentes, halfe to be departyd to . . [par]ishe cherchis for werkys, ornamentes, and othyr thynges necessarye to the seyd chyrchis, and half to be departyd amonges the seyd pore pepil that be tenauntes152.3 of the seid lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes soo to be disposed aftyr the discrecion of myn executores [before namyd],152.4 aftyr my will approvid, and my dettes payd.
Item, I will and ordeyne that the pryour of the prioury of the parishe cherch of Jernemuth for the tyme beynge, and hese covent and hise successorys, observe and kepe yeerly and perpetualy to endure an annversary in the seyd parishe cherche for to preye for the soule of my fadyr, John Fastolf, Squyer, that lythe buryed there in the seyd chyrche, with placebo and derige and messe, be note the vigyl and day of hese obit, with the noumbre of prystes and clerkes accordyng in such a cause; and for to susteyne the kepyng of the seyd annversary, I will that be the avise of myn executorys [before namyd]152.4 that londes or teneme[ntes] . . . . . . . . . . ordeynid to the yeerly valewe of xxs., and that to be inmorteis . . . . . . . . swyr to the seyd prioury or parishe chyrche, oonly to susteyne and bere . . . . . and chargys of the perpetuall kepyng and susteyning of the seyd annversary.
Item, I will and ordeyne that if I have ony reliquis of Seyntes, also suche ornamentes for the chirche, that I have left as vestmentes, garlementes of sylke or velwet, of robis, and my gownys, that parcell of hem be yovin to the seyd monastery cherche of Seynt Benettes, where I shal be buryed, to remayne for ornament of the chapell there be me late edified; and also part of hem to be distrubited amonges the parishe chyrchis that be in suche townes that I have ony lordshipis, manerez, londes, tenementes, and rentes, provided that a resonable and a competent part of the seyd reliquis and ornamentes be kept and govyn to the seyd collage to be made at Castre, and this to be doon be the avise of myn executores be fore namyd.153.1
Item, I will and ordeyne that suche of my consanguinite and kynred whyche be pore and have but litil substaunce to leve by, that they be relevyd of my goodes . . . . . havyng consederation to thoo that be nerrest of my kyn and of . . . . . Also of here good disposecion too God ward and to me in here . . . . . othir of my kyn, that a consyderacion be hadde and yovyn to the relyf and prefer[ment] of my cosyn Robert Fitzraf, for hese good, trewe and long servise to me doon and contynwyd, and alsoo be reson of my consanguynite and kynred.
Item, I will and ordeyne that if ony persone make ony compleynt to myn executores that I have purchasyd ony taylid londes be this my will ordeynid to be sold,153.2 and that thoo personys that so compleyne doo suffeciently and evydently prove and shewe withoutyn ony collucion, fraude, or male ingyne suche londes taylid; thanne I will that the right heyris purchase as be suche taylid londes, if ony be in my possession or in my feffeez handes, and that for a . . . . . . is thanne ony othir persone after the avyse and discrecion of the seid John Paston and Thomas Howis, clerk, and where there be no lawefull answere nor debarre of the tayle.153.3
Item, I will and ordeyne that the holy place of monastery and abbathye of oure Ladyiz chirche of Langley, in the diocise of Norwiche, for my soule to be more specialy recommendyd, and also for to kepe and susteyne, one day in the yeer, myn annversary solempnely be note the derige and messe of requyem for ever to endure for the helthe of my soule and for the soule of Dame Milcent, my wif, the doutyr of Sir Robert Tibetot, Knyght, whiche was of the consanguynite and kyn to the foundorys of the seyd monastery, and she owyng a senguler affeccion and love of devocion to the preyeris of that place, that the Abot and Covent have a reward and a remuneracion of my mevable goodes aftyr the discrecion of myn executores before namyd.
* and that oon of the monkis or pristes in the collage be me ordeynid in the mancion of Castre forseid shall synge specialy in perpetuite for the soule of my modir and all here auncestryez, and good dooerys.
Item, I will and ordeyne that be the avise of myn executorys before namyd, that prevecion and ordenaunce be made that the obit and annversary may be yeerly inperpetuite kept with placebo and derige and messe of requiem benote for the soule of Dame Mary, my modir, in the chirche of Attilburgh, * [and a fundacion of a messe there, or in othyr convenyent place to be morteysid, for ever to seye and preye for here soule and for here auncetryez aftyr the discrecion of myn executorys.] *
Item, I will and ordeyne that it be provided by myn executores before namyd a reward as a yefte be made to the chapell of Seynt Jorge in the Castill of Wyndishore, and to the collagyens of the same collage for to have my soule recomendid amonges . . . . . with an annversary to be kept yeerly and perpetualy amonges hem with placebo and [derige and] messe of requyem be note.154.1
* be the avise of myn executores before namyd
Item, I will, ordeyne, and comaunde that myn [executores and]154.2 feffeez* porsewe lawfully my right and title that I have in xxv. marke of yeerly rente, with all the areragis that of right and concience is dewe to my feffeez feffyd there in to myn use to dispose for my soule helthe chargyd and payable out of a maner in Hiklyng, callid Nethyrhalle, with the priour and covent of Hiklyng for the tyme beyng, be bounden and astrict be wryting undyr here covent sealys to paye yeerly. And on lyke wise I wyll that pursewt be made be Parlement or othyrwise lawefull for redressyng of the wrong doon to me in the maner of Bradwell, in the hundrid of Lodynglond in Suffolk, whiche I purchasid trewly, and hadde a lawefull astat in the same maner, as myn evydence woll shewe of record, xl. yeer past; and for to redresse the wrong full entre doon . . . . . my feffeez in the maner of Dedham Nethirhalle by Willyam, late Duke of Suff[olk], as well as for the wrongfull entre eftsonys and late made upon serteyn personys feffyd to myn use in the seyd maner, now of latter tyme; And that myn executores doo dewly here deligence aboute the recovery and getyng ageyn of the seyd manerez, lond[es], and tenementes and rentes above seyd of my goodes to be born.
Item, I will and ordeyne that the wardeyn and the procutoris for the tyme beyng of the parishe chirche of Seynt Oloff in Suthewerk, be London Brege, beyeng to the use of the seyd chirche of Seynt Oloff, be preferryd, in beyeng and purchasyng of myn executorys before namyd, a tenement with a warff thereto longyng, set be the seyd chirche, callyd the Bukheed, before ony man, and for a lesse valewe than it is worthe withine the sum of xxli.
Item, I will that a convenyent stoon of marbill and a flat fygure, aftyr the facion of an armyd man, be made and gravyn in the seyd stoon in laton in memoryall of my fadyr, John Fastolf, Squyer, to be leyd upon hese toumbe in the chapell of Seynt Nicholas, in the parishe chirche of Jernemuth, and with my skochonys of armys of hym and hese auncestryez, with a scripture aboute the stoon makynge mencion the day and yeer of hise obite.
Item, I will that in semblable wise a marble stoon of a convenyent me . . . . . . . . . . made to be leyd upon the toumbe of Dame Mary, my modyr, in the . . . . . . . . foundid in the parishe chyrche of Atilburgh, and that a figure . . . . . . . . . . of a jentilwoman with here mantil, with a scripture made of laton in on . . . . . . . iiij. skochonys of armys of here iij. husbondes, as the skochon of Thomas Mortimer, Knight, [John] Fastolf, Squyer, the seconde husbonde, and of John Farwell, Squyer, the thridde husbonde, auncetryez in the seyd toumbe, and the day and yeer of here obite to be wretyn aboute.
Item, that myn executores before namyd helpe that the maner of Cowlynge be disposed and guydid aftyr the will of Dame Marget Brannche, my sastir, if my executoris thynke it be to doo.
* [Item, I will that a provecion be made for swerte of the maner of Cowlynge in Suffolk, accordyng to the last wyll of Dame Marget Braunche, my sustir, in whiche maner I stond enfeffed in to here use, and serteyn londes in the seyd Cowlynge that Dame Mary, my modir, purchasyd to here and to hire heirez, that Herry Braunche, my neweu, here son . . . . seyd maner, provided that he be oblygid to preye for hise fadir, Sir Philip Br[aunche, and his] modir, Dame Marget, serteyn preyeris and messez, with a prist, to be contynw[aly] seyd [be] the discrecyon of myn executorys.] *
Item, I will and ordeyne that the executores of John Wellys, aldreman of London, whiche hadde gret goodes of myne in hise governaunce whil I was in the partyez of Fraunce and Normandye, and hadde never opyn declaracion to whos handes of my resseyvoris atturnyez, or servauntes of myne the seyd goodes were delyvered particlerly, and for that cause to be aserteynid of the trouthe in this be halve, as well as for the dyscharge of the seyd John Wellys soule, his executores and attornyez may yeve accompt, soo declaryng of my seyd goodes accordyng to the trouthe and concience.
* [Item, to be providyd, if it be thowght comodiously that it may be doon be myn executores, that a chauntry may be foundyd in the chyrche of Seynt Oloff, be London Brege, in Southewerk, to prey for my soule perpetualy.] *
Item, I will and requyre that it be knowyn to all pepill present and for to come that where afore thys tyme whil I dwellyd and excersysed the werrys in Fraunce, Normandye, Angoy, and Mayne, as in Gyen, havyng undir the Kyng, myn sovereyn Lord, officez and governauncez of cuntreez and placis, as of castilys, fortreys, citeez, and townes be xxx. yeer and more contynwed, be reson of whiche officez . . . . . many sealis of myn armys gravyn with my name wretyn aboutyn . . . . . . . . . . . course (?) in the seyd castilys and fortreycez that my lef tenauntes and . . . . . officerz beyng in dyverse suche placis ocupied undyr me the sealys and sygnettes to seale saf conduytez and billettes of saf gardes, and othyr wrytinges of justice longyng to suche officez of werre; and I doutyng that summe of the forseyd sealys of armys or sygnettes remayne stille amonges myn officeres or personys not delyvered to me ageyn, and that with the sealys of armys and signettes ony monwements, chartrys, dedes, letterys patentes, blankes chartrys in parchemyn or paper, or othyr evydence forgyd and contryved withoute my knowynge or assent, myght soo be sealyd ageyn all concience and trouthe and ryghtwisenesse; and for these causez, and for doute of ony inconvenyent that myghte falle be this my wrytinge, I sertefie for trouthe and afferme on my soule, I swere and proteste that sethe I cam last out of Fraunce and Normandye, xix. yeere passed, I never sealyd wrytinge of charge, yefte, nor graunte with noon othyr seal of armys nor sygnet thanne * I have usyd this ij. yeer day last passed. * [with this same seal of armys and sygnet . . . . . . . . . this my present will and my last testament],* and overmore that I have enselyd no [charge] yefte, nor graunte be the space of xix. yeer with noo seal nor sygnet, of noo lordshype, maner, nor manerez, annuite, reversionis, nor of no yiftes nor grauntes of goodes and cattellys, mevable and on mevable, nor mony, excepte suche as I have made opynly to be knowyn, executyd, and put in pocession be fore this day. Wherfore I requyre . . . . . . all Cristyn peple to yeve noo feithe nor credence to ony pryvat wryting not opynly declarid nor provid in my lif tyme, nor to blanke chartrys sealyd in my . . . . . . . whereof I remembre me well that oon John Wyntir, Esquyer, late my servaunt, hadde (?) in kepyng a blanke letter in parchemyn ensealyd ondyr my seal, and never delyvered it me ageyn, but seyde he hadde lost it at hyse confecion, as wryting ondyr hise owyn hande maketh mencyon or he deyde.
Item, I will and ordeyne that myn houshold be holdyn and kept with my menyal servauntz be the space of half yeer aftyr my deseas, soo as they wyll be trewe to me and obedyent to myn executorys, and here wages for that tyme payd, and that in the meane tyme they purvey hem for othyr servise as they lyke best to avise to leve in trouthe; and if ony servaunt be well governyd and holde ageyns my . . . or ageyn myn executorys to breke my good disposecion, I wy[ll that he shall be?] remevyd, and that he abyde noo lenger among the fel . . . . . . . . . . trewly avoydid withoutyn ony reward of me or of myn ex[ecutores].
Item, I will and ordeyne that amonges othir that I have put in remembraunce be this my will to be preyed fore that suche as shalbe bounden to preye for me, and be rewardid of myn almesse, shalbe chargid be myn executoris be fore namyd to preye for the welfare of m[y] soverayn Lord the Kyng, and for the soulys of all my good lordes and kynsefolk, and of thoo I am b[ounden] to preye fore or doo preye fore, and for hem that I have hadde ony goodes of.
* [Item, I will and ordeyne that amonges othyr lordes, frendes, and kynesmen that I desyre, [for] the discharge of my concience, be put in remembraunce of preyeris for the [good] affeccion I hadde on to them that I desyre shuld be preyed fore, is the soule of that blyssyd prynce, Thomas Bedford,156.1 late Duke of Excestre, the soulys of the Lord Tibtot, Rauff, Lord Crumwell, Sir John Radclife, my brothyr-in-lawe, and Dame Cisly, late hyse wiff, my sustyr, whiche lithe buryed at Burdeux; Sir Philip Braunche, Knyght, my brothyr-in-law, that deyde and was slayn in Fraunce, and Dame Marget, late hyse wif, my sustyr, buryed at Cowlynge; also John Farwell, Squyer, my fadyer-in-lawe; Sir Herry Inglose, Knyght, of my consangwynite; Sir Hewe Fastolf, Knyght, that deyde in Cane in Normandye; Sir Robert Harlynge, Knyght, my neveu, that was slayn at the sege of Seynt Denys in Fraunce; John Fitzraf, Squyer, my neveu; Cisly, late the wif of Herry Fylongley, my nese, also late desesyd; Dame [Dan] Willyam Fastolf, of my consanguynite, prophessyd in the monastery of Seynt Benettes, and aftyr Abot of Fescamp in Normandye, whiche deide at Parys; Mathew Gowgh, Squyer, Thomas Gower, Squyer, John Sak (?), marchaunt of Paryse, my trusty frend and servaunt, and for the soule of John Kyrtlyng, parson of Arkesey, my right trusty chapeleyn and servaunt domysticall xxx. wynter and more, Thomas Hoddeson, a trusty servaunt of myne, John Lyndford, and William Gunnour.] *
* full wyll and assentynge of the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys, clerk.
Item, I will, ordeyne, and streyghtly charge myn executorys that noon of hem shall [give] quyetaunce nor rellesse in no wise be hym self, nor be noon othir, to noon of my detorys, nor to dettour of myn executoris, of what so ever of astat or condecion that he be of, withoute the * [knowynge, plessaunce, and assentynge of all myn executorys, or the more part of hem.] *
* the very will and assentyng of the seyd Paston and Howys, and that noon othyr attempte there in nor in noon othir cause in this my will to doo the contrarye to hem in effecte I require hem in Goddes be halve.